Orange tree named ‘Red Lina’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct navel orange distinguished by production of fruit that combines early season maturity and a dark orange to red pigmented rind, (UPOV Group 20), with a pink albedo. It further distinguishes itself with a deep orange red flesh, and early season harvest maturity. Both flesh and juice are consistently darker than commercially known varieties. The new cultivar is a  Citrus sinensis , useful for commercial fruit production.

Latin name of the genus and species: Citrus sinensis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety ‘Red Lina’ originated as a spontaneous branch mutationdiscovered by Glenam Knott in an orchard of Citrus sinensis ‘Lina’. Thediscovery was made during 2009 in Eastern Cape, South Africa. On 3rdOct. 2009, plant material was selected from the mutation branch forclean up at the Citrus Research International in Nelspruit. This is anextended and confidential process. In addition to the cleanstockproduction, in February 2010 the inventor began assessing the newvariety confidentially at his own orchard in Eastern Cape, South Africa.Buds from the mutation branch were top grafted onto ‘Swingle’ rootstockwith ‘Cara Cara’ Navel interstock in February 2010. The interstock wasemployed to improve compatibility due to ‘Lina’ navel's slightincompatibility with ‘Swingle’ rootstock. Fruit production on thesetrees commenced on 2013. Additional propagation of ‘Red Lina’ directonto Swingle rootstock were made at the same site to replace failed topgrafts in 2013.

Various instabilities, including foliar variegation were observed. After6 generations a final selection was made of a stable clone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Red Lina’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Red Lina’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Red Lina’ as a new and distinct Citrus sinensiscultivar:

-   -   1. Early season maturity.    -   2. Dark orange pigmented rind, occasionally with red blush.    -   3. Red pigmented flesh.    -   4. Red pigmented albedo.    -   5. Round, small fruit shape, less oblong.    -   6. Higher percentage of the fruit have a less protruding navel        end.

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Red Lina’ are similar to plants of the seedparent, Citrus sinensis ‘Lina’ in most horticultural characteristics,however, plants of the new cultivar ‘Red Lina’ differs in the followingways;

-   -   1. New cultivar's growth shape is more spherical and more        compact than parent variety.    -   2. Flesh of new cultivar's fruit is red pigmented; parent's        flesh is yellow-orange.    -   3. New cultivar's rind color is a darker orange than that of        parent.    -   4. New variety has red flushed albedo, whereas parent has white        albedo.    -   5. New variety has a thinner, but stronger rind than parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

The new variety is best compared to the commercial variety, ‘Cara-Cara’.‘Red Lina’ is similar to ‘Cara-Cara’ in many horticulturalcharacteristics; however, ‘Red Lina’ differs in the following;

-   1. Fruit flesh of ‘Red Lina’ consistently has a darker red pigment    than the red-pink comparator.-   2. The rind color of ‘Red Lina’ is a darker orange than that of    Cara-Cara.-   3. A high percentage of fruit of ‘Red Lina’ have red blushed rinds,    a characteristic completely absent in Cara-Cara.-   4. The new variety has red flushed albedo, whereas comparator has    white albedo.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrates in full color examples oftypical fruit harvested from ‘Red Lina’ also known as Rosalina andcomparators.

FIG. 1 illustrates a comparison of the calyices ‘Red Lina’ and ‘CaraCara’ on slightly immature fruit.

FIG. 2 illustrates a comparison of the calyices ‘Red Lina’ and ‘Lina’ onslightly immature fruit.

FIG. 3 illustrates a lengthwise comparison of ‘Cara Cara’, ‘Lina’ and‘Red Lina’.

FIG. 4 illustrates albedo of ‘Cara Cara’, ‘Lina’ and ‘Red Lina’.

FIG. 5 illustrates a hemispherical cross-section of ‘Cara Cara’, ‘Lina’and ‘Red Lina’.

FIG. 6 illustrates a seven-year-old top grafted tree of ‘Red Lina’ onnavel interstock onto Swingle rootstock.

FIG. 7 illustrates ‘Red Lina’ albedo and flesh color in comparison withthe comparator variety Cara-Cara Navel.

FIG. 8 illustrates ‘Red Lina’ rind color in comparison with comparatorvariety ‘Cara-Cara’.

FIG. 9 illustrates flowers and foliage of ‘Red Lina’.

FIG. 10 illustrates a fruiting tree of ‘Red Lina’ at approximately 7years.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘Red Lina’ plants grown outdoors undercommercial trial conditions in the Cape of South Africa. Measurementsand numerical values represent an average from the most typicalspecimens.

-   Botanical classification: Citrus sinensis ‘Red Lina’.

PROPAGATION

-   ‘Red Lina’ is typically grafted onto ‘Swingle’ rootstock.

PLANT

-   Age of the plant described: Approximately 7 years.-   Plant habit: Upright.-   Height: Approximately 2.5 m.-   Growth rate: Approximately 3 years to reach 185 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 2 m.-   Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 52-72 cm.-   Quantity of lateral branches: 2-4.-   Angle of lateral branches from main trunk: 150-170° degrees.-   Branching arrangement: Typically 2-3 more vertical main limbs with    1-2 smaller and more horizontal shoots. The vertical shoots rebranch    after 52-72 cm.-   Branch diameter: Average 3.8-5.0 cm.-   Trunk texture: Minimally rough, slightly striated.-   Trunk color: Near RHS Grey-Brown N199A.-   Trunk diameter: Average 8.0 cm on a 3 year old plant.-   Spines:    -   -   Density.—Absent.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Average length.—Range: 6.5-8.25 cm. Average of 7.6 cm.        -   Average width.—Range: 2.8-3.9 cm. Average of 3.2 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Elliptic.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Broad attenuate.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Margin.—Entire to crenate. Absent or weak undulation.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.        -   Texture of underside.—Smooth with raised center rib.        -   Aspect.—Foliage typically upwardly folded. No twisting or            blistering with normal cultural conditions.        -   Color.—Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A.            Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138A.        -   Petiole.—Length: Average length 0.75-1.6 cm. Width: Average            0.3 cm. Pubescence: None. Color: Upper and lower surfaces            near Green 143B. Petiole Wing: Approximately 7 mm length.            Approximately 2 to 3 mm wide. Color and texture identical to            leaf.

FLOWER

-   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Single rotate flowers    emerging from leaf axils.-   Flowering period: Buds form in the Eastern Cape of South Africa in    Mid to Late October.-   Flower longevity on plant: Approximately 2 weeks.-   Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-cleaning.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Length.—Average cm.        -   Diameter.—Average 5 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS White 155A.-   Flower size:    -   -   Diameter.—Average 2.5 cm.        -   Depth.—Average 1.5 cm.-   Corolla/petals:    -   -   Arrangement.—Rotate, fused at base. Not overlapping.        -   Petal quantity.—5.        -   Length.—Average 1.2 cm.        -   Width.—Average 4 to 5 mm.        -   Texture.—Smooth without pubescence.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Fused.        -   Margin.—Smooth.-   Color: Petals are RHS White 155D upon abscission.-   Calyx/sepals: Filaments separate easily.    -   -   Quantity per flower.—5.        -   Shape.—Straight.        -   Length.—Average 6-7 mm.        -   Width.—Average 1 mm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Upper Surface: Near RHS Green 137A. Lower Surface:            Near RHS Green 137A.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Average 4-5 mm.        -   Diameter.—Average 1 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 137A.        -   Texture.—Smooth without pubescence.-   Fragrance: Sweet, typical Citrus flower scent.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—Most commonly 12.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 2.2 cm.-   Anthers:    -   -   Shape.—Globular.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow 3A.        -   Pollen.—Color: Near RHS Yellow 9C. Quantity: Moderate.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.8 cm.        -   Style.—Length: 0.6 cm. Color: Near RHS Green-Yellow 1D.        -   Stigma.—Shape: linear. Color: Near RHS Yellow 8D. Ovary            Color: RHS Green 143C.

FRUIT

-   Color exocarp: Near RHS Orange 26A. About 20 to 30% of fruit    exhibits streaks near Red 42C.-   Color mesocarp: Near RHS Yellow-Orange 18D, flushed Red 53D.-   Flesh color: Near RHS Orange-Red 34B, 34C.-   Brix at consumption: 10.4 to 11.6.-   Brix at harvest: 12.5. Acid 0.88 Ratio of 10.50.-   Diameter: Average diameter at peak: 75 to 85 mm.-   Segment number per fruit: Medium, 10 to 11.-   General shape: Round.-   Fruit neck: Not present.-   Stalk end depression: Present, deep.-   Stalk end radial grooves: Intermediate quantity of long grooves.-   Fruit collar: Absent.-   Distal end depression: Absent.-   Areola: Absent.-   Diameter stylar scar: Large.-   Persistence of style: None.-   Naval opening: Always present, medium in size. Absent or weak    bulging.-   Skin/rind texture: Medium to rough. Pitting and pebbling present.    Sparse pitting. Peddling moderate, occurring on oil glands only.-   Rind: Medium thickness, medium strength.-   Oil glands: Small to medium, very little difference in size.    Moderate conspicuousness.-   Rind oil: Moderate quantity of oil. Inner surface oil glands    conspicuous.-   Fruit core: Densely filled.-   Rudimentary segments: Variable, from weak to intermediate.-   Segment wall strength: Moderate.-   Fruit juiciness: Moderate.-   Juice vesicles: Medium to long: 8 to 12 mm, thin to medium    thickness, 1.5 to 2 mm. Low to medium conspicuousness.-   Seeds: Not observed to date.-   Shipping quality: Excellent storage life observed, better than    parent variety. In shelf-life tests and hanging on tree, less waste    has been observed, less fallen waste fruit is retrieved compared to    parent variety. In a test of over 100 fruit graded, rind creasing is    observed at less than 5%, whereas the parent consistently shows 5 to    10%.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease/pest resistance: No susceptibility nor resistance observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates low temperatures to approximately    −5° C. without negative effects, tolerates high temperatures to    approximately 37° C. without negative effects.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Orange tree named ‘Red Lina’as herein illustrated and described.